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Re: What are the "basic" facts?
Posted:
Jun 23, 1995 7:35 AM
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Norm Krumpe said: > >I recognize one of the arguments against this: we can't possibly teach the >multiplication algorithm if students don't know their multiplication tables. >But I'm not quite sure how much I would agree with this argument. Besides, >I have worked with many college students (including those planning on >becoming mathematics educators) who know the algorithm, but still don't >remember how much 7 x 8 is.
I am in learning assistance and get all those that haven't managed to beat those algorithms and there is a pattern; most do not know multiplication facts, (or addition, subtraction, division). I promptly glue a multiplication table, (paper version), to their foreheads and this helps considerably.
I wonder though, if a student hasn't memorized "the facts", do they have a harder time following instruction coming at them from the front of the class? Are they spending more time thinking, "Whoa, where did he/she get that from?", and less time concentrating on understanding the new concept?
Multiplication facts come into play so often they truly are basic. Memorizing them is like knowing the command keys on your computer; yes you can look them up every time you need one, but it's a heck of a lot more efficient if you don't have to.
Andy K :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: A. Karassowitsch Learning Assistance Teacher R.L. Angus Elementary School District #81 - Fort Nelson, BC Canada <akarasso@cln.etc.bc.ca>
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